ELECTION 2012

Poll: Santorum leads Romney in Pennsylvania

'Native son' performs better than Mitt against Obama

Published: 03/14/2012 at 2:17 PM

(CBS NEWS) — Following his surprising victories in Mississippi and Alabama, Republican presidential contender Rick Santorum on Wednesday received some good news from his home state of Pennsylvania: The latest poll there shows he’s established a clear lead over his GOP rival Mitt Romney.

A new Quinnipiac poll shows that 36 percent of Pennsylvania Republicans favor Santorum in the GOP primary, while 22 percent support Romney. Another 12 percent support Ron Paul while 8 percent back Newt Gingrich.

Most candidates would expect to have a clear advantage in their home state — Romney and Gingrich both won their respective home states, though Romney’s Michigan victory was slim. After beating Santorum by just a few points in Michigan, Romney said he won “by enough.”